Church musicians must be exclusive?

[Hollmanp90]

Originally Posted by Bswailes

As a worship team member of long duration, I too, have done the "backslide" into secular music. Wouldn't have done it any different...

My take? There is Christianity. Then there's "Church-ianity." I have enough trouble trying to keep the two basic commandments to love God wholly, and my neighbor as myself.

Seen plenty of rules...and the broken people left behind, as well. Like Abraham Lincoln, (and Phillip Yancey), I prefer a church that will first emphasize the "basics of love."

Ever hear of Sister Rosetta Tharpe? What an inspiration to so many greats! Capable of burning up a white Gibson SG (and the first 10-rows at her concerts); played gospel all her life. She was buried in an unmarked grave in Philadelphia until some "sinners" thought better of it.

I dunno...I'm just a poor sinner. God have mercy on us all...

As well put as I have ever heard.

[guitarzan13]

Originally Posted by jarrodmichael

That's cracked. Sorry, but it is. Way too many control issues there.

Originally Posted by 62Caster

Sounds crazy, I would like to hear why such a contract exists

Originally Posted by bobthecanadian

If it was me I wouldn't agree to such a thing.

Originally Posted by jb12string

does seem a bit strange, I'd like a few more details before I form an opinion...

Originally Posted by electric

I wouldn't do it.

Originally Posted by telechaser

Count me in as somebody that wouldn't do it. I don't have problem playing outside church as long as I'm promoting a positive message.

All of the Above!!!

[elmatt]

I have been the primary worship leader/music director for two churches over the last 10 years and served as a team member for about 5 years before that. I have never heard of any rules regarding exclusivity. In fact many of my musicians, including myself, will play at neighboring churches from time to time. The only thing I ask of my musicians, and I am usually asked of the same when working for someone else, is that regardless of what I/they do outside of church - music or otherwise - remember you are now in a public position and your words and actions will affect your credibility - so use common sense. The only way I would sign an exclusivity contract is if I was guaranteed a substantial amount of money and I do not know of any churches that pay THAT well:)

[Tele295]

Think about this in reverse. Under this policy, a professional musican, for example, a studio player or the principal cellist of the local symphony, is not allowed to play in church and worship with their instrument. Does that sound, for lack of a better term, "kosher"?

[Ptrallan01]

he knows going in what the expectations are.

I have been involved with church music/musicians for a long time and can see why a church might want this type of arrangement. I wouldn't ask for such a thing but do understand that this COULD be a good thing for some musicians and churches.

How much is he being paid? How often will he be expected to be there, multiple sunday services, multiple midweek services, travelling with the church and or pastor?

There are different ways of doing things that are neither right or wrong. This is the rule there. He doesn't have to except it. Doesn't make him more or less of a Christian just not a fit for this particular situation.

Love covers a multitude of sins/shortcomings/failings. A 10 week training course to be a church lmusician seems pretty intensive. They must be expecting quite a "performance" on stage and off.

Let us know how this turns out. It should be interesting. How long is this contract?

[mrSlush50]

Only read the first post but just had to say this before I go back and read the rest of the thread:

That is just plain stupid. He should tell them no thank you and take his talent somewhere it will be allowed to speak to people both within the church walls AND without.

EDIT: ok, read the comments and thought I would add that I too had to sign a contract when I joined by church worship band and I also would have been required to become a church member had I not already been one. The contract states that I will attend church regularly on off Sundays as well as weeks when I'm playing. I suppose that would prevent me from playing in another church's Sunday morning worship but I have no doubt that both my senior and worship pastors would have no qualms about club gigs and certainly no problem with my playing at another church's midweek or Saturday night service so long as that church understood that my current church would remain my home. In fact several members of our band play at other churches and one is actually a touring musician in a secular band.

[Mike Bruce]

Well, there's no rule saying I cannot worship wherever and however I like...and I do worship wherever and however I like. I wouldn't sign a contract like that as no one has a right to expect me to agree to it. (In my opinion of course.) I would agree to showing up for practices and performances, not to to any form of exclusivity.

If it sounds judgemental, I'm sorry, but it is a crazy demand.

Mike Bruce

[ravindave_3600]

So, Sax4blues, any more information on WHY this is required?

[sax4blues]

Originally Posted by ravindave_3600

So, Sax4blues, any more information on WHY this is required?

We don't get together again until this coming Wednesday. I will definitely talk in depth with him. He took me by surprise when he told us this last week and I didn't really get into it right then. It just seems wrong on just about every level. Thanks for the feedback everyone, it helps me get my head together before we talk.

[Wahwax]

I think the reason might be that they don't want you playing in a bar on Saturday night and then in church on Sunday. While you might be a great Christian witness in the bar, many people will just see that a leader in the church was at the bar.

Ironically the reason I logged in today was to ask if any of you guys also play secular music in bands outside church. Forming a new group. We want to play a mix of Christian and secular stuff. I'll post more in a new thread.

[callaway]

Originally Posted by Wahwax

I think the reason might be that they don't want you playing in a bar on Saturday night and then in church on Sunday. While you might be a great Christian witness in the bar, many people will just see that a leader in the church was at the bar.

Oh noes... I guess the Wesley brothers weren't Christians then!

[jb12string]

Originally Posted by callaway

Oh noes... I guess the Wesley brothers weren't Christians then!

I don't think wahwax said that you couldn't be a Christian and in a bar.

I see his point. It might be awkward if you invite a buddy to church and have him lean over and say that the guitar player on stage was playing at the bar the night before. Of course, it could lead to some good discussion too, just depends on the situation. Nobody told him he couldn't play anywhere he wanted to, they just said that he can't do it if he wants to play with them

[callaway]

Originally Posted by jb12string

I don't think wahwax said that you couldn't be a Christian and in a bar.

I know, it was more of a remark in general to those people who would think otherwise...

[TELEkinetic]

Originally Posted by sax4blues

But… now he tells us to play in their band he must sign a contract that he will not play in any other bands.

From re-reading your original post, it appears the possibility may exist that your friend may be looking for a way out of your band without creating any hard feelings. Just another angle.......

Posssible?

[cdc3jj]

Last time I posted here the thread got closed so I'll try to be as PC as possible.

Our church is very outreach minded. Our pastor actually encourages us to play secular tunes and play out in clubs. His theory is people who don't come to church or "would never go in a church building" might see us and think, hey if those guys are welcome, I would be too. That's not to say we're out getting wasted and falling down, but if we're on a break and someone comes up to say how much they enjoy the music, we say "thanks, we play every sunday morning too." It's a fine line to walk. And a lot of people who have been in church for a long time think it's hypocritical. However, I've seen more faces saturday night and sunday morning than I can count. People who have turned their backs on a church for this reason or that feel welcome and like they have some common ground with someone before they ever walk in. Becoming like the ______ to reach the ______. I think that's in the book somewhere.

[Jakeboy]

I play in a CHristian Blues band called "Matt & The Testifiers". We willplay anywhere...and we have....I write & choose all our tunes. The message goes from "in-your-face evangelistic" all the way to secular love songs. They all have to be true. God is the Author of truth.

All our stuff has a positive message, is truth-based, has screaming guitar, & a heavy backbeat. I've played bars on Saturday & church on Sunday. We view it as a mission & a way to get the truth out. Plant a seed here, a seed there. We even play "Black Magic Woman"...because it is a true story about a Christian girl.

I see no problem doing this...but when I was much younger in my walk I certainly did so I will not cast stones here.

But to the OP, I thik the requirements put on your friend AS YOU HAVE STATED THEM THUS FAR, are controlling & smack of legalism....but...there may be a reason for it. Past history, getting burned, who knows. It just calls for some investigation.
As someone else said, he knows the score going in...if he doesn't like it, he doesn't have to play with that church.

JMO.

Mark

[Wahwax]

As someone stated in my defense, I never said that someone in a bar could not be a Christian. The question is this, does your presence in a bar impact your witness?

Romans 14:21 NIV It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

A strong Christian can handle being in a bar and even having a drink or two without stumbling, but will he make others stumble? And being on stage in church is a leadership role. Hanging out in a bar 8 hours before you are in church is an easy way for the rumors to start flying.

I, myself would have no big issue playing at a bar if they were non-smoking. I can't handle the smoke.

[Hiker]

I would have no problem with an FBI background check for the sake of working around youth or others (nothing to hide, here), but the exclusive contract or similar arrangement would not fly with me.

[ravindave_3600]

Originally Posted by Jakeboy

We even play "Black Magic Woman"...because it is a true story about a Christian girl

???

Originally Posted by Wahwax

A strong Christian can handle being in a bar and even having a drink or two without stumbling, but will he make others stumble?

+ 1; Christian musicians (especially) must remember our faith is not about us, but about the people around us. This responsibility always makes for an interesting balancing act between Amazing Grace and Honky Tonk Women.

Originally Posted by Hiker

I would have no problem with an FBI background check for the sake of working around youth

Me, too. Around here you just about have to agree to be checked out!

[refin]

I wouldn't do it.............unless THEY agreed to cover all the financial loss I would be facing.
And then I still wouldn't do it.